Global warming’s maths means Australia really counts

It’s simple maths: we can emit 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide and stay below 2°C of warming — anything more than that risks catastrophe for life on earth. The only problem? Burning the fossil fuel that corporations now have in their reserves would result in emitting 2,795 gigatons of carbon dioxide – five times the safe amount. And they’re planning to burn it all — unless we rise up to stop them.

The massive coal expansion planned by Australian companies and governments is one of a handful of projects in the world that would take the planet beyond the point of no return if they were to go ahead.

In November 2012, following publication of his Rolling Stone article, Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math, Bill McKibben and 350.org hit the road to build a movement strong enough to change the terrifying math of the climate crisis by getting people, colleges and governments to take their cash out of coal investments.

Updates:

Australia and New Zealand: The New Frontiers of Divestment and Maths

Posted 10:17am 5/29/13

Just yesterday, Bill McKibben was announced as this year’s recipient of the Sophie Prize for his work in “building a social movement to preserve a sustainable planet.” In receiving it, he joins the ranks of legends like Wangari Maathai, James Hansen, and Sheila Watt Cloutier. Meanwhile, Bill is about to start a two week tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, bringing his Do the Maths message Downunder. Before he even lands in Australia, the Australian Coal Association has come out biting at his ankles…

“Foreigners coming to Australia to campaign against our national economy can do a lot of damage if their claims go unchallenged” – wrote the Australian Coal Association (ACA) in The Australian last month, attacking Bill McKibben in advance of his Do the Maths Australia tour.

The tour begins on Monday, and the ACA is doing its best to discredit and rubbish Bill McKibben, but they’re nervous and full of bumbling attacks.

Bill joins Lateline to talk about Doing the Maths

Posted 12:23am 5/28/13

You can watch Bill McKibben’s great interview on ABC TV’s Lateline program here.

Bill McKibben joins Lateline

“Do the Maths” film screenings

Posted 12:08am 5/6/13

As we gear up for Bill McKibben’s “Do the Maths” tour here in Australia in June, our friends in the United States have released an epic film building on Bill’s tour across 21 cities in the US last November.

Do the Maths trailer

After its success in the US, this film about the emerging climate movement is going global.

There is a lot of inspiration to be drawn from the film, but importantly, it also shows the kind of momentum and movement that Bill’s visit gives us the opportunity to build here in Australia.

That’s why on 16 May we’re inviting people around Australia (and the world) to host screenings of the film inviting their friends, families and colleagues in their homes, cinema or at local community centres. Most importantly, we need your help to use these screenings as a chance to promote the live Do the Maths events in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane in June.